REPORT OF COMMISSIONERS ON CONTAGIOUS 

 DISEASES OF ANIMALS. 



To the Governor and Council : 



The Commissioners appointed bj the Governor and Council for 

 the investigation of contagious diseases of cattle and other animals 

 in Maine, met at Lewiston, on December 20, 1882, and ovaanized 

 by the election of Hon. Z. A. Gilbert as President, and Dr. George 

 H. Bailey as Secretaiy. 



The attention of the Commissioners has been called directly to 

 but three cases since their appointment, thus proving that the State 

 is almost entirely free from disease, and in an eminently healthy 

 condition. 



On February 14th our attention was called to a case of suspected 

 Glanders at P]ast Sumner, but upon investigation the animal was 

 discharged, the Commissioners having failed to make out a case. 



In March we received a letter from ]\Ir. J. F. Spraguc, one of 

 the Selectmen of Monson, Me., notifying us that claims had been 

 made upon the State for the payment of several head of cattle that 

 had been destroyed by order of the town officers, and that others 

 were in a similar condition, afflicted with what was supposed to be 

 "Contagious Murrain," better known as "Foot and Mouth Disease," 

 or Aphthous Fever, and requesting that tlie veterinary of the Board 

 be sent there to Investigate the disease, and if found to be infectious 

 or contagious, to give such directions as should prevent its continu- 

 ance. 



On March 25th Dr. Bailey was sent to Monson, and upon his 

 arrival found that the animal last affected, after having been 

 appraised, had been destroyed and buried by order of the Selectmen. 

 The aiiimal was a milch cow belonging to a Mr. Swift. The cow 

 had been buried under the snow for several days, but was exhumed, 

 and a careful examination and post-mortem made of the cadava 

 to determine the cause of death. After having obtained a correct 



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